Anableps microlepis

Anableps microlepis
Anableps microlepis from Meerzorg, Suriname
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cyprinodontiformes
Family:	Anablepidae
Genus:	Anableps
Species:	A. microlepis
Binomial name
Anableps microlepis Müller & Troschel, 1844
Synonyms[2]
Anableps coarctatus Valenciennes, 1846 Anableps elongatus Valenciennes, 1846

The finescaled four-eyed fish (Anableps microlepis) is a species of four-eyed fish found in coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Trinidad and Tobago down to southeastern Brazil.[3][4][5] They mostly inhabit brackish environments such as estuaries, mangrove swamps, and tidal mudflats. It grows to approximately 30 cm (12 in) in length.[3][6]

This fish mostly feeds on organic matter and small invertebrates. In Manzanilla, this fish was found to feed on sand crabs (Emerita portoricensis) and small bivalves (Donax denticulatus).[7] While looking for food, they travel up and down the coastline in large groups ranging from a dozen to more than a hundred fish.[7]

Like other members of Anableps, this species has eyes that are split into two lobes, allowing it to see above and below water at the same time.[8] They can be distinguished from the sympatric Anableps anableps by having smaller and more numerous scales (76-83 compared to the less than 64 of A. anableps).[6] They also have a left or right-leaning gonopodium like other Anablepidae members and give live birth.[9]

References

1. Frederico, R.G. (2022). "Anableps microlepis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T162693427A162693431. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T162693427A162693431.en. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
2. "Anableps microlepis". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Anableps microlepis". FishBase. February 2022 version.
4. "Anableps microlepis". The Encyclopedia of Life.
5. Garcia; et al. (May 2015). "Coastal fishes of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, with new records". Check List. 11 (3): 1–24 – via ResearchGate.
6. "Species: Anableps microlepis, Finescale four-eyes". Shorefishes. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
7. Kerwath; et al. (January 2001). "Feeding habits of Anableps microlepis (Anablepidae, Cyprinodontiformes) from two ecologically different habitats in Trinidad, West Indies". Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ichthyologie. 2: 119–129 – via ResearchGate.
8. Schwassmann; et al. (July 1966). "Experimental analysis of the visual system of the four-eyed fish Anableps microlepis". Vision Research. 5 (6–7): 269–281. doi:10.1016/0042-6989(65)90004-0. PMID 5905869 – via ResearchGate.
9. Götz, Albrecht (June 1998). Field research on reproduction, growth and age of Anableps microlepis in Trinidad (Thesis). Institute of Zoology II Science Department II – via ResearchGate.